Surface modification of COC : study of surface morphology and cell adhesion

• Main Author: Ho, Hedi Ying Ci.
• Other Authors: Yue Chee Yoon
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: 2011
• Subjects: DRNTU::Engineering::Chemical engineering::Biochemical engineering
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/45903
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

Microfluidic devices play an important role in many applications today with its ‘lab-on-chip’ technology. The study of microfluidic devices entails the precise control of fluids at microscale which gives rise to many added advantages. This work covers the study of surface morphology and cell adhesion such that cyclic olefin copolymer surfaces can be modified in order for fabrication of microfluidic devices with hydrophilic surfaces. The study of surface morphology is important such that undesired adsorption process is eliminated to enhance the reliability of the polymer based microfluidic devices and cell adhesion is important to ensure its biocompatibility such that the devices can be fabricated efficiently. This report studies the extent of the surface modification of cyclic olefin copolymer with photoinitated grafting under ultraviolet irradiation with monomer solutions such as N-vinyl pyrrolidone and acrylamide. The suitability of the monomer solutions grafted onto the polymeric substrate surfaces would be more accurately investigated if other aspects such as irradiation time and bond strength are considered. Hence, this other part of the study would be covered by another student in her final year project. This report presents the extent of surface modification of cyclic olefin copolymers which focuses on the study of surface morphology and cell adhesion.